Two scenes from Sunday helped illustrate why it is so difficult to figure out the 2013 Boston Red Sox.

The first occurred in the morning, when manager John Farrell responded to a question about the team’s recovering lefties by talking about designated hitter David Ortiz and shortstop Stephen Drew.

The question, though, was not about the Red Sox’s injured left-handed hitters, but their ailing left-handed relievers, Craig Breslow and Franklin Morales.

What was this, 25 MRIs for 25 players?

The second, more encouraging scene took place in the afternoon, when one of the Sox’s healthy lefties — starting pitcher Jon Lester — threw six perfect innings against the Tampa Bay Rays.

“Man on a mission,” one scout said, adding that Lester will be even better as he refines his command. “Expect a big year for him.”

So, who are the ’13 Sox?

Maybe, as club president Larry Lucchino proclaimed, they will be “scrappy underdogs,” a laughable concept for a team with a payroll of $150 million-plus.

More likely, they will evoke a phrase for which former general manager Theo Epstein once was condemned, and experience a “bridge year.”

Either way, the Red Sox are in something of a no-lose position. For once, expectations are relatively low. If the Sox exceed those expectations, great. If not, the team wasn’t supposed to be good, anyway.